Assembly and Method for Frame Side Matching Game Play

ABSTRACT

A game play assembly incorporating 24 substantially square frames, each substantially square frame having a quadruple of zones; and incorporating 96 objects wherein a first third of the 96 objects are of a first type, wherein a second third of the 96 objects are of a second type, wherein the remainder of the 96 objects are of a third type, wherein the 96 objects are divided in 24 four element rotational series of objects, wherein each four element rotational series of objects is supported upon and aligned with one of the quadruples of zones, and wherein each four element rotational series of objects is different from each other four element rotational series of objects.

REFERENCE TO PREVIOUSLY FILED PATENT APPLICATION

Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/802,638,entitled “Playing Cards Deck and Method of Play” and filed Jul. 17,2015. The instant application constitutes a continuation in part of said'638 application. The inventor of and applicant of said '638 applicationand the instant application are the same, and the instant application isfiled prior to any issuance or abandonment of said '638 application. Thebenefit of and priority from said '638 application's Jul. 17, 2015,filing date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to frame sets which are playable in a sidesmatching fashion upon a flat playing surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Game play frame sets may comprise a series of geometrically configuredframes which support arrays of objects which are capable of visualand/or tactile perception. Such frame sets commonly allow contestants ina game utilizing the frame set to strategically deduce or inferprobabilities relating to the identity of frames not seen or not played,such deductions and inferences being founded upon the contestants' viewof an incomplete subset of the game's series of frames, and via thecontestant's knowledge and understanding of the identity and characterof all of the frames among games set of frames.

The instant inventive frame set, in an improved and enhanced fashion,facilitates a game contestant's frame identity knowledge by utilizingquadrant zones defined upon the frame component as base support forobject quadruples arrayed as rotational series of distinct objects. Theinvention's rotational series of distinct objects allow each of theset's frames to support a unique array of objects, where the number offrames among the set is specified by the formula (n⁴+n²+2n)/4, with “n”representing a small number of unique object types such as 3 objecttypes, 4 object types, or 5 object types.

The instant invention's utilization of the (n⁴+n²+2n)/4 rotationalobject series defining formula advantageously allows game contestantsutilizing the inventive frame and playing the inventive game basedthereon to memorize and/or conceptually understand the identity of eachof the frames among the set. The instant invention's association ofunique object series with the frames' quadrant zones furtheradvantageously facilitates a frame edge matching mode of game play upona flat play surface, such game play utilizing deduction and inferencestrategies that are facilitated by the game's rotational object series.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The frame set of the instant invention preferably comprises a pluralityof four sided or four edged frames. In the preferred embodiment, eachframe among the plurality of four sided frames is composed of a rigid orsemi-rigid substrate. Suitable substrate materials comprise wood,flexible stratifications of pulped wood, and plastic.

Further components of the instant inventive frame set comprise a firstplurality, a second plurality, and at least a third plurality ofobjects, each object in each such plurality of objects beingsubstantially the same as each other object in such plurality and beingdifferent from the other pluralities' objects. Accordingly, the at leastthree pluralities of objects are representative of three object types.

The invention's objects are preferably fastened, attached, or fixedlysecured upon the frames. In a suitable embodiment, the first plurality'sobjects comprise null, vacant, or blank objects. Also suitably, thefirst objects of the instant invention may alternatively comprise adistinct physically existing object type.

The invention's second objects are preferably physically existent andmay suitably comprise a deposition of ink or paint having a peripheraledge which is configured for silhouetting an arrow.

The invention's at least third objects may be similar to the secondobjects with a further configuration for silhouetting notches or crossesupon the silhouetted arrows.

Suitably, the invention's first, second, and at least third object typesmay comprise other items such as variously colored depositions of paintor ink, other silhouetted shapes, bold relief protrusions, indentations,and various other physical objects. A necessary characteristic of theinstant invention's object types is that they be distinguishable fromeach other through visual appearance and/or tactility.

In a suitable alternative structure of the instant invention, the framecomponents, along with their objects, may be virtual or digitallygenerated, with individual frames and objects supported thereonappearing upon digital visual output device.

In a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive frame set, each frameis substantially square, and the invention's first, second, and thirdobject types are displayed upon the frames in four element series orquadruples arrayed in alignments with quadruples of isosceles triangularzones which are circumferentially bounded by the frame'scorner-to-corner diagonals. In the preferred embodiment, each frame'sobject series is rotational and is unique with respect to that of eachframe's object series.

Where the inventive frame set supports objects selected from multipleunique object types, the formula (n⁴+n²+2n)/4 defines the number offrames which are included in the frame set. In such formula, thevariable “n” may represent as few as three unique object types. Where“n” equals 3, (n⁴+n²+2n)/4 equals 24, which is a preferred number offrames incorporated in the inventive frame set.

Where the inventive frame set alternatively utilizes objects selectedfrom four unique object types (e.g., utilizing a null object, a pennyobject, a penny pair object, and a penny triple object), “n” equals 4and application of the above formula requires a frame set having 70members for support of 70 unique rotational object series. Where the 70member frame set supports such four object types series, 24 of theframes of the resultant 70 frame set are necessarily identical to thesmaller frame set which is defined upon utilization of only three ofsuch four unique object types. A five object type frame set results in alarge set of 165 frames, and such large frame set comprises both theabove described set of 24 frames, and the above described set of 70frames.

In a preferred mode of game play utilizing the inventive frame set, eachof two or more game playing contestants may receive two or more framesfrom the 24 frame set. Upon receiving their frames, each contestant isimmediately able to deduce and infer probabilities relating to theidentity of frames distributed to the other contestants, and relating tothe identity of any frames yet to be given to any contestant. Thecontestants' ability to make such deductions and inferences isfacilitated by the frame set's (n⁴+n²+2n)/4 formula based rotationalseries of unique objects, such formula enhancing the contestants'conceptual understanding of the frames' individual configurations. Suchconceptual understanding assists in the making of strategic choicesduring game play.

In a preferred mode of play, the game playing contestants play frames ina rotating or alternating sequence, the players laying the frames upon aflat table surface. Following a frame play, a contestant may draw areplacement frame from a pool of those frames which have yet to bedistributed to or drawn by any player. In each successive frame play,the contestant playing the frame may match at least a first frame sidewith a side of a previously played frame, each frame play being directedto an objective of completing square matrixes of frames. In a preferredmode of game play, contestants completing square matrixes of frames areawarded positive points. At an end of play, the contestant accumulatingthe most awarded points is declared a winner.

Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of aframe set and play method which incorporate structures, as describedabove, and which prescribes game play steps, as described above, suchstructural provision and game play steps being arranged, configured, andordered for the achievement of the benefits, functions, and advantagesdescribed above.

Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instantinvention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review ofthe Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-24 present images of upper sides of frames included within theinstant inventive frame set.

FIG. 25 is a perspective and stacked view of the frames of FIGS. 1-24,the topmost frame of the stack corresponding with the frame of FIG. 12.

FIG. 26 presents a fanned configuration of the frames of FIGS. 5, 6, 11,14, and 18.

FIG. 27 presents a grouping of frames of FIGS. 20, 17, 9, and 3 placedand arranged during game play.

FIG. 28 presents an alternative frame and rotational objects seriescombination.

FIG. 29 presents a further alternative frame and rotational objectseries combination.

FIG. 30 presents a further alternative frame and rotational objectseries combination.

FIG. 31 presents a further alternative frame and object configuration.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a partial magnified view of the structure of FIG. 33, asindicated in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 presents a further alternative frame and rotational objectseries combination.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the structure of FIG. 35, as indicated inFIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a partial magnified view of the structure of FIG. 36, asindicated in FIG. 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND OF A PREFERRED MODE OFGAME PLAY

Referring now to the drawings and in particular simultaneously toDrawing FIGS. 12 and 25, the frame structure of FIG. 12 is, for the sakeof example, shown at the top of a stacked configuration of the instantinventive frame set, such stack of frames being referred to generally byReference Arrow 3.

The FIG. 12 frame is preferably substantially square, and has an upperside 2 or surface. The FIG. 12 frame is suitably composed of durablethin material, and has four orthogonal edges 4, 6, 8, and 10. As shownin FIGS. 28-37, the invention's frame components may alternatively berelatively thick and rigid.

Isosceles triangular zones or quadrants 12, 14, 16, and 18 arepositioned at the upper side 2 of the FIG. 12 frame, and such zones arerespectively radially outwardly bounded by the frame edges 4, 6, 8, and10, and are circumferentially or rotationally bounded by diagonals 40and 42. Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 1-11 and 13-24, eachof the depicted four edged frames may suitably be configuredsubstantially identically with the FIG. 12 frame.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 12 and 25, a first object 22, a secondobject 23, a third object 24, and a fourth object 26 are depicted. Thefirst object 22 is designated by a dashed line oval signifying a blankor null space which is supported by the FIG. 12 frame at a fixedposition within zone 12. A physical object capable of being visually ortactilely perceived by a game contestant (e.g., referring to FIG. 35, atriangular protrusion 108) may be suitably substituted for such nullobject 22.

A clockwise zone-to-zone progression from the null object 22 initiallyarrives at an object 23 supported within zone 14. Such object 23 maycomprise, as depicted, a deposition of paint or ink having a peripheralborder or edge configured for silhouetting an arrow, such object issecured by the FIG. 12 frame within zone 14. Continuation of suchclockwise progression next meets a crossed arrow object 24 which issupported by the FIG. 12 frame within zone 16. Thereafter, the clockwiseprogression meets a fourth object which is another arrow 26 in zone 18,and the progression then cyclically returns to the null object 22 inzone 12.

The null space object 22, the arrow objects 23 and 26, and the notchedarrow object 24 which are positioned and supported upon the FIG. 12frame are intended as being representative of other suitably substitutedfirst, second, third, and fourth objects such as ink depositionssilhouetting numbers, ink depositions silhouetting letters, inkdepositions silhouetting geometric shapes, ink depositions silhouettingvarious articles or things, bold relief protrusions of varying shapes,indentations of varying shapes and various physical articles and things.For example, as is shown in FIG. 28, the invention's three object typesmay comprise a bead 58, a bead pair 60, and a null object 59. Means forsupporting such objects upon frame 52 and within the frame's quadrupleof quadrants or isosceles triangular zones 62, 64, 66, and 58 maysuitably comprise wires 56 and 58. Hatching 53 upon the upwardlyoriented surface of the frame 52 is representative of a color or texturedifferential which allows game contestants to determine the frame'supper side. In the structure of FIG. 28, objects of the null type aresupported by the frame 52 within triangular zones 66 and 68, an objectof the bead type is supported within zone 62, and an object of the beadpair type is supported within zone 64, each of such three object typesbeing distinctly different from each other.

In the alternatively configured frame 70 (having upper side 72) of FIG.29, wires 74 and 77 support null objects within triangular zones 69 and71, while supporting a washer type object 80 within zone 73 and a washerpair type object 70 within zone 75.

In the further alternative frame of 82 of FIG. 30, null type objects aresupported within triangular zones 81 and 83, while a penny type object90 is supported within zone 85 and a penny pair type object 88 issupported within zone 87. Referring further to FIG. 32, in lieu of thewires 54, 56, 74, and 77 of the FIGS. 28 and 29 frames, glue 91 isutilized by the frame 82 to fixedly support and position the penny typeand penny pair objects within zones 85 and 87.

In a further alternative frame 92 of FIGS. 31, 33, and 34, null typeobjects are supported within triangular zones 91 and 92, while a dottype object 98 is supported within zone 99, and a dot pair type object100 is supported within zone 101. The dot object 98 and the dot pairobject 100 may comprise a disposition of paint, a disposition of ink, ora decal, or an applique, and the frame 92 may utilize the adhesivecharacters of such objects as its means for holding and fixedlypositioning such objects.

In the further alternative frame 106 of FIGS. 35-37, a first triangularbold relief protrusion type object 108 is supported within triangularzone 109, while a circular bold relief protrusion type object 110 issupported within zone 107. A pair of square bold relief protrusion typeobjects 112 are supported within zones 105 and 111. As indicated in FIG.37, the frame 106 utilizes wholly formed joints such as joint 113 as itsmeans for securing and positioning its objects.

The objects and object types 24, 26, 58, 60, 78, 80, 88, 90, 98, 100,108, 110, 112, and null objects 22 and 59 described above are consideredto be representative of other object types which are amenable to beingsupported and positioned by a frame and which are easily discerned asdiffering from other object types through a game contestant's use of hisor her visual and/or tactile senses.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-25, 96 objects are shown attached tothe 24 frames, a first one-third or 32 of the 96 objects beingrenditions of a first object type (i.e., null object 22), a secondone-third or 32 being renditions of a second object (i.e., arrow shapedink deposition 23), and the remaining 32 being renditions of a thirdobject type (i.e., notched arrow shaped ink deposition 24). Referring inparticular to FIGS. 12 and 25, the first object 22 type, being a blank,null, or arrow-less space, may be advantageously assigned or ascribed anumerical value of zero. The other two object types supported upon theframe (i.e., plain arrow 23 and notched arrow 24) are correspondinglyadvantageously assigned values of one and two. Suitably, other numericvalues may be assigned to the frames' object types. Given the respectiveassignments of the preferred 0, 1, and 2 numerical values to the objecttypes 22, 23, and 24, a cumulative total of the object type valuesappearing on FIG. 12 frame equals 4. To reflect such cumulative objecttype total, a matching integer indicia 28 comprising the number 4 may beadvantageously centrally printed upon the FIG. 12 frame. Referringfurther to FIGS. 1-11 and 13-24, each frame's central integer indiciapreferably signifies the sum of the frame's object values.

Referring further to FIGS. 12 and 25, it may be seen that corner indicia20 frame depicts at the frame's corners both the frame's central integerindicia 28 and the frame's array of four objects. Referring further toDrawing FIG. 26, the presence of such corner indicia 20 upon the framesallows subsets of the frames to be held by a game playing contestant ina fan 30. In the fan 30, the values associated with each frame held bythe contestant are conveniently displayed at the frames' exposedcorners. In any rotational orientation of the frames of the fan 30,corners and corner indicia 20 are conveniently upwardly exposed,allowing the game playing contestant to assess the content of the frameswithin the fan 30 without the necessity of individually moving andrepositioning the frames.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-24, it may be seen that each of thedepicted frames includes a rotational objects array or rotational seriesof objects which differs from that of each other frame among such 24frames. Beginning with the uppermost object shown upon each of the frameamong the FIGS. 1-24 frames, and progressing about each of such framesin a clockwise zone-to-zone fashion, the rotational and cyclicallyrepeating object type series supported by the Drawing FIGS. 1-24 framesare as set forth in the following table:

-   -   FIG. 1 first, first, first, first    -   FIG. 2 first, first, first, second    -   FIG. 3 first, first, first, third    -   FIG. 4 first, first, second, second    -   FIG. 5 first, first, second, third    -   FIG. 6 first, first, third, second    -   FIG. 7 first, first, third, third    -   FIG. 8 first, second, first, second    -   FIG. 9 first, second, first, third    -   FIG. 10 first, second, second, second    -   FIG. 11 first, second, second, third    -   FIG. 12 first, second, third, second    -   FIG. 13 first, second, third, third    -   FIG. 14 first, third, first, third    -   FIG. 15 first, third, second, second    -   FIG. 16 first, third, second, third    -   FIG. 17 first, third, third, second    -   FIG. 18 first, third, third, third    -   FIG. 19 second, second, second, second    -   FIG. 20 second, second, second, third    -   FIG. 21 second, second, third, third    -   FIG. 22 second, third, second, third    -   FIG. 23 second, third, third, third    -   FIG. 24 third, third, third, third        Where a value n equals a number of unique object types, and        where renditions of those object types are supported and        arranged in rotational series upon such frames (i.e., within        such frames' quadruples of isosceles triangular zones), the        number of unique frames which include such rotational object        series is determined by the formula (n⁴+n²+2n)/4. Where n equals        3, indicating three distinct object types (e.g., a null space        object type, a plain arrow ink deposition object type, and a        notched arrow ink deposition object type), such formula produces        the number 24. Hence, the 24 unique frames of the instant        inventive frame set.

For purposes of accommodating a greater number of game playingcontestants, the number of unique objects which are supported in fourelement rotational series upon the inventive frame set may be increasedfrom 3 to 4. For example, a frame set supporting bead (e.g., bead 56 ofFIG. 28), bead pair (e.g., bead 60 of FIG. 28), bead triple, and beadquadruple object types may be provided, resulting in an “n” value offour. Where n equals four, the (n⁴+n²+2n)/4 formula produces a set of 70cards, each bearing a unique rotational series of such bead typeobjects. Where the inventive frame set includes 70 frames, each of theframes of the n=3 frame set (i.e., a set consisting of 24 frames) isincluded within or comprises a subset of the 70 frame set. Toaccommodate an even larger number of players, the value “n” may beincreased to 5 (by adding, for example, a null object to the abovedescribed quadruple of bead object types), resulting in a 165 frame set.

Multiple functional relationships exist between the instant invention'sframes and instant invention's objects. One notable functionalrelationship results or arises from close mechanical associationsbetween the rotational character of the frames' physical features andthe objects' four element rotational series. As indicated above, eachframe's corner-to-corner diagonals define at the frame's upper side aset of four or quadruple of isosceles triangular quadrants. Beginning atany one of the frames' triangular quadrants, and progressing clockwisein a zone-to-zone fashion over the frame's upper end, one invariablyrotationally cyclically returns to the beginning triangular quadrant. Aprogression in the same fashion over the frame in the counter-clockwisedirection similarly rotationally returns to the beginning triangularquadrant. Like the four orthogonal edges, each frame's triangularquadrants constitute rotational four element series, the elements ofeach such series constituting a quadruple of physical zones or areaswithin or upon the frames.

Also as indicated above, for any set of objects drawn from threedistinct object types, there are at most 24 unique four elementrotational series of objects which can be created. A portion of theinstant invention's functional frames/object series relationship arisesfrom an identical matching of the number of the frames in the inventiveframe set (i.e., 24) with the number of those unique rotational seriesof objects (i.e., 24). A further functional inter-relationship arisesfrom the fact that the diagonals of the 24 frames cumulatively define 96isosceles triangular quadrants, and from the fact that only 96 objectsselected from a supply of three unique object types are needed to createall 24 of the invention's unique four element rotational series ofobjects. Those 96 selected objects are, in accordance with the instantinvention, physically provided, and the 24 frames of the instantinvention perform a function of mechanically positioning and fixedlyholding each of those 96 objects within one of the frames' triangularquadrants. According to the invention, such mechanical support andpositioning arranges the objects so that no two objects reside withinany one of the 96 quadrants. A further frame/object series functionalrelationship arises from the fact that the frames fixedly position andmechanically arrange the invention's 24 four element rotational objectseries so that each series is physically supported and held upon one ofthe frames. According to the invention, such mechanical supportpositions and arranges the four element object series so that no two ofsuch series is physically attached to any one frame. Each individualframe among the 24 frame set further functions in relation to one of therotational object series by physically supporting each of such series'objects within one of such frame's triangular quadrants. Such physicalsupport and positioning provided by each frame component to its fourelement rotational series of objects requires that the above describedclockwise or counter-clockwise progression about the frame's fourquadrants simultaneously progresses about or cycles through the attachedfour element rotational series of objects. Accordingly, the functionallyinter-related structures of the instant invention require that aclockwise or counter-clockwise progression about a frame's fourquadrants simultaneously progress about the attached four elementrotational series of objects.

The functionality of the instant invention's frames in relation to theirfour element object series may also be understood by recognizing thefact that the invention's set of 24 substantially square framesconstitutes a machine or tool which is specially adapted for arrangingand supporting the instant invention's 24 four element rotational seriesof three objects in a manner which is consistent with or consonate withthose series' cyclical nature. The inventive frame's tool function isdemonstrated by hypothetically considering alternative tools comprisingsets of triangular frames or sets of pentagonal frames. A set of 24triangular frames could conceivably fixedly support and position theinstant invention's 24 four element rotational series of objects.However, any arrangement of a four element series of objects upon atriangular frame would associate at least one pair of objects among thefour objects more closely with one side of the triangle than with eitherof the other two sides of the triangle. Therefore, upon utilization ofthe hypothetical triangular frame tool, and upon a clockwise progressionabout such triangular frame, a single progression step about the framewould traverse a pair of elements among the four object rotationalseries. In each cyclical step or progression along one of the instantinvention's four elements rotational series, only one element of theseries may be met, not two. Therefore, such hypothetical triangularframe set could not support the invention's four element rotationalseries in a manner which is consistent with their cyclical character.

Upon a provision of an alternative hypothetical pentagonal frame tool,it would be mechanically impossible for any of the instant inventions'four element rotational series of objects to be properly supported andarranged. This is because it is mechanically impossible to support andassociate four discreet objects with the five sides (or five surfacezones) of a pentagonal frame. At least one frame side or zone wouldalways remain unassociated with the four objects, effectivelyintroducing into the object series a fifth null object. Such alteredfive element series would not constitute the instant invention's fourelement series, and no support of any four element series would beprovided by such hypothetical pentagonal frame.

Consideration of the instant invention's actual four sided frame settool of the instant invention, in view of the functional deficits ofsuch hypothetical three sided and five sided frame set tools, shows thatthe instant invention's four sided frame tool set is the only tool setwhich is capable of functioning in the manner required by the instantinvention.

Other geometrically shaped frame sets (such as circular frames andhexagonal frames), may be hypothetically considered in the mannerdescribed above, and all of such other alternative frame configurationswould similarly be found to be incapable of arranging the invention'sfour element rotational series of three object types in a mannerconsistent with such series cyclical nature.

The functional relationship existing between the instant invention'sframe set and the instant invention's four element rotational series isfurther demonstrated by the fact that both the frame set and the fourelement rotational series of objects are capable of being arranged on aflat surface in a square matrix pattern. The capacity of the invention'sfour element rotational series of objects to be arranged in a squarematrix pattern is not dependent upon the square frames. Similarly, thecapacity of the square frames to be arranged in a square matrix patternis not dependent upon the invention's four element series of objects.However, a simultaneous arrangement of both the invention's objectseries and the invention's frames in a single square matrix pattern isdependent upon the frame's mechanical support and positioning of theobject series. The instant invention requires such simultaneous squarematrix creations, and the invention's frames and object seriesmechanically work together to perform that function.

Factors outlined and described above are considered as constitutinggrounds and reasons establishing that in the instant invention there isa functional relationship existing between the invention's four elementrotational series of objects selected from three object types, and theinstant invention's set of substantially square frames. Notwithstanding,the above recited factors are not considered as being the only groundsand reasons which establish the fact that such functional relationshipexists.

The instant inventive frame set's utilization of the (n⁴+n²+2n)/4formula prescribing the number of frames in the set, along with theinstant invention's correlation of unique rotational series of objectswithin the frame set allows game playing contestants utilizing theinventive frame set to easily mentally conceptualize, understand, andmemorize the various frames which are included within the inventiveframe set. Accordingly, the inventive frame set facilitates game playingcontestants' ability to deduce or infer probabilities relating to theidentity of unviewed frames held by other game playing contestants orremaining in an undistributed portions of such set. Such frame identitydeduction facilitation enhances the inventive frame set's ability tosupport strategic game play.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-27, in a preferred of mode playutilizing the inventive frame set, a plurality of game playingcontestants, suitably as few as two contestants, may each be dealt asubset 30 of frames among the FIGS. 1-24 frames. Thereafter, a firstcontestant may play upon a flat play surface 32 such as a table top afirst frame such as the FIG. 9 frame.

Thereafter, the second game playing contestant may play a nextsuccessive frame such as the FIG. 3 frame. As indicated in FIG. 27, thesecond game playing contestant opted to match the third object type(i.e., the notched arrow ink disposition) of the FIG. 3 frame with theFIG. 9 frame's third object type. In such successive frame play, thesecond contestant might have suitably alternatively matched any of theFIG. 3 frames' three first object types (i.e., its null objects) witheither one of the FIG. 9 frame's first type objects.

Thereafter, in a next successive game play turn, the first gamecontestant may play the FIG. 20 frame as indicated with one of suchframe's second objects matching the FIG. 9 frame's single second object.

Thereafter, the second game playing contestant may play in turn the FIG.17 frame as indicated. According to the configurations of framesappearing upon the table 32 immediately prior to such successive playturn, the second game playing contestant would have had eight other waysto matchingly play the FIG. 17 frame, including a possible opposite sidematch of the FIG. 9 frame, three modes of matching the FIG. 3 frame, andfour modes of matching the FIG. 20 frame.

Assuming that the first game playing contestant has in his or her framesthe five frames indicated in Drawing FIG. 26 (i.e., the FIG. 5, FIG. 6,FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 18 frames), he or she is able to play at thenext play turn one of his or her frames upon the table 32 to complete asquare matrix of frames in five separate and distinct ways. Any one ofthe first contestant's FIG. 5, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 18 frames maybe played by the first contestant within space 34 to complete a fourframe matrix which includes the FIG. 17, FIG. 9, and FIG. 3 frames.Alternatively, the first game contestant may play the FIG. 6 framewithin space 36 to complete a different four frame matrix which includesthe FIG. 20, FIG. 9, and FIG. 17 frames.

The instant inventive game establishes a game playing objective ofcompleting one or more of such four frame matrixes. In pursuit of suchobjective, the first contestant may recognize upon said game turn that,upon playing the FIG. 6 frame within space 36, the only other framesamong the 24 frame set which could be played within space 34 to completea second four frame matrix are the FIG. 7, FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 frames.The first game playing contestant may choose as a matter of strategy toplay the FIG. 6 frame within space 36 with such frame's third and secondobjects respectively matching those of the FIG. 20 and FIG. 17 frames.The strategy of such a frame play would rest upon a comparison of theprobability that each of the FIGS. 7, 13, and 16 frames (i.e., theavailable frames that are playable within space 34) is undistributedrather than held by the second contestant, with the probability thateach of the FIGS. 12, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 frames (i.e., the availableframes that are playable within space 36) are undistributed. Providedthat each frame among the FIG. 7, FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 frames has yet tobe distributed to or drawn by the second game playing contestant, thefirst game playing contestant is assured that on his or her next playturn, one of the FIG. 5, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, or FIG. 18 frames will beplayable within space 34, resulting in a second completion by the firstcontestant of a square frame matrix. The probability of completing asecond square matrix at space 34 may be seen by the first contestant asinherently greater than the probability of completing a second squarematrix at space 36. The first game playing contestant's knowledge of theidentity of the frames among the 24 frame deck, along with his or herviews of the frames held personally, and views of frames played upon thetable, advantageously allows the first contestant to assess suchprobabilities and to strategically perceive the greater likelihood thatthe second game playing contestant holds a frame playable within space36. Thus, the next frame play executed by the first contestant mayadvisedly constitute a placement of the FIG. 6 frame within space 36.

Strategic choices, inferences, and deductions of the type describedabove continuously arise as the game play progresses, and the uniqueconfiguration of the frame's rotational series of objects continuouslyfacilitates the making of such strategic choices.

In the preferred mode of play of the instant inventive card game, pointsare awarded to each game playing contestant who completes a square framematrix. Integer indicia appearing upon the frames of completed squarematrixes may be a factor in points awards, such factor advantageouslyenhancing the game's capacity for strategic play.

At a termination of play, the game playing contestant having the mostcumulative awarded points is declared to be the winner.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the aboveillustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modificationsin the structure, arrangement, portions, and components of the inventivecard deck, and those skilled in the art may make modifications to themethod steps including their identity, character, and sequence ofperformance without departing from the principles of the invention.Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that theinvention be given a scope at least commensurate with the appendedclaims.

The invention hereby claimed is:
 1. A game play assembly comprising: (a)24 substantially square frames, each such frame having a quadruple ofzones; and (b) 96 objects, a first third of said 96 objects being of afirst type, a second third of said 96 objects being of a second type,and the remainder of said 96 objects being of a third type, wherein said96 objects are divided into 24 four element rotational series ofobjects, wherein each of said series is supported within one of thequadruples of zones, and wherein said each series is different from eachof the 23 other series.
 2. The game play assembly of claim 1 whereineach quadruple of zones is bounded by a frame edge and by a pair offrame diagonals.
 3. The game play assembly of claim 2 wherein each fourelement rotational series of objects comprises objects selected from thegroup consisting of the first type of objects, the second type objects,and the third type objects.
 4. The game play assembly of claim 3 whereineach of the three object types has an integer value, and wherein eachsubstantially square frame has an integer value which is equal to thesum of the integer values of the object types supported upon said eachsubstantially square frame.
 5. The game play assembly of claim 4 whereineach substantially square frames' integer value is printed upon saideach substantially square frame.
 6. The game play assembly of claim 5wherein the printing of each substantially square frame's integer valueresides at said each substantially square frame's corners.
 7. The gameplay assembly of claim 5 wherein the first object type comprises a nullobject, wherein the second object type comprises a surface deposition ofink or paint configured so that peripheral edges of such depositionsilhouette an arrow, and wherein the third object type comprises asurface deposition of ink or paint configured so that peripheral edgesof such deposition silhouette a crossed arrow.
 8. The game play assemblyof claim 7 wherein 23 of the substantially frames have corner arrowindicia, each substantially square frame's corner arrow indiciadepicting said each substantially square frame's four element rotationalseries of objects.